Foyer

Dial's Himalayan Pink Salt scented hand soap is a life changer.

It costs $1, and I fully endorse it.

You know what is another life changer? Consistency.

In this article, the guy talks about how consistency is his superpower.

My superpower is Googling things for people older than me, but consistency is a close second. 

I have recently discovered this in the past 2 or 3 months where I have been consistently working toward certain goals. This is not meant to be a bragging-in-your-face kind of a post, but an inspiring-let's-all-win-at-life kind of post.

Learning German - I have been sitting down every night to knock out a few review lessons. Sometimes it's after 11 o'clock at night. My course tells me I now know 51% of the language, but I think we all know that's a bit high. However, I tried to translate an article the other day, and I actually knew what they were talking about! And sometimes, I'll be in the kitchen or at work just thinking in German. 

E.g. "Es ist zeit fur Kaffee. Kaffee macht alles bessere."

Yeah, that may be misspelled and missing some umlauts, but I know some things, man, and some stuff.

What's encouraging is that it's only going to get better from here. 

Losing weight - I was very surprised at this one. As you know in my January 23rd post, I wrote about running. I had always heard that cardio is what helps you lose weight. I'd add that it's consistent cardio that will help you lose weight. Day after day I ran (which is why that post translates to "Every Day"), and week after week, I saw results. I also started eating homemade vegetable soup for lunch every. single. day.

Let's throw some numbers on the board:

October: 

Weight: 137.2

Waist: 28.5

Hip: 39

February:

Weight: 127.4

Waist: 26

Hip: 37.5

It didn't take me 4 months to do that. I lost the majority of weight after I started running consistently after my 5k in January. I may be inclined to post some pictures when I'm all the way there.

Fair warning.

But here's what's so exciting about this and I why I wanted to lose ~15 pounds in the first place:

My clothes fit sooooooo much better. In fact, today at church, I was able to wear this dress, which is one of the first dresses that my mom and I made together. A few months ago, I tried it on and it was SO tight in the waist it would barely zip up. This morning, it fit perfectly.

Quick note: I got a couple compliments from the older generation today on the dress. Probably because it came down all the way to my knees. 

o.O

So now my skinny jeans are falling down on me? And I've reached last belt loop?

Yes. This is what progress feels like.

(And, yes, I may have to go buy new pants soon.)

I ran 6.3 miles yesterday, which is more than a 10k. I texted my life coach, and she said that a 10k is 6.4 miles. I don't understand how a 10k could be more than twice a 5k, but math has never been my strong suit.

Oh, wait...

But if I had told my high school dryland-hating self that I'd be running this mileage in just 6 years, I would not have believed me. Perhaps this is why time travel is not possible.

Singing - So I've actually been working on a new album...I've written 2 whole new songs in the past 2 weeks which is probably more than I did all of last year. 

Like, playing guitar is almost at the point of "omgomgomg I can't wait to get home so I can play it" and I LOVE IT.

I haven't been riding my bike to work, so when I get in the car, I listen to music on the way to and from work. 

And I sing. 

Oh, I sing. 

I sing LOUD.

Doing this consistently has really improved my ability to turn meh songs into AWESOME songs. 

That is, I sing better-sounding and more challenging things because I CAN.

Saving money - I'm going to keep this short because you guys know all of my thoughts. But consistency has definitely worked for me in this area, too.

That, and the phrase, "Is there a greater waste?"

Growing spiritually - In Sunday school, we talked about how the ordinary means of grace are a long term strategy for ministry. Essentially, it's not going to be some showy worship service or emotional revival that changes your life long term. It's doing the ordinary things: studying the word, taking the sacraments, prayer; and doing them week after week. 

Then suddenly (plotzlich), you look back at where you were a year ago and you realize that you're not in the same place. You're not the same person. In fact, you're way better off, and you know so much more. How did that happen? 

Grace upon grace.

Consistency.

I wonder who Allie's life coach is,

TWS